Definition

What is nocturia?

Nocturia, or nocturnal polyuria, is the medical term for excessive urination during the night. During sleep time, your body produces less urine that is more concentrated. This means that most people don’t need to wake up during the night to urinate and can sleep uninterrupted for six to eight hours.

If you need to wake up several times in the night to urinate, you may be suffering from excessive urination at night. As well as disrupting your sleep, nocturia can be a sign of an underlying medical condition.

How common is nocturia?

Nocturia is extremely common. It can affect patients at any age. It can be managed by reducing your risk factors. Please discuss with your doctor for further information.

Symptoms

What are the symptoms of nocturia?

Normally, you should be able to sleep six to eight hours during the night without having to get up to go to the bathroom. People who have nocturia wake up more than once a night to urinate. This can cause disruptions in a normal sleep cycle.

There may be some symptoms not listed above. If you have any concerns about a symptom, please consult your doctor.

When should I see my doctor?

If you have any signs or symptoms listed above or have any questions, please consult with your doctor. Everyone’s body acts differently. It is always best to discuss with your doctor what is best for your situation.

Causes

What causes nocturia?

Causes of nocturia range from lifestyle choices to medical conditions. Nocturia is most common among older adults, but it can occur at any age.

A variety of medical conditions can cause nocturia. One of the most common causes of nocturia is a urinary tract infection (UTI) or bladder infection. These infections cause frequent burning sensations and urgent urination throughout the day and night, and treatment usually requires antibiotics. Other medical conditions that can cause nocturia include:

Nocturia is also common in people with organ failure — typically either heart or liver failure — and those who suffer from diabetes.

Pregnancy: Nocturia can be an early symptom of pregnancy. This can develop at the beginning of pregnancy, but is more common later, when the womb presses against the bladder.

Sleep Apnea: Nocturia can be a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea. This can occur even if the bladder is not full. Once the sleep apnea is controlled, the nocturia usually goes away.

Medications: Some medications may cause nocturia as a side effect. This is particularly true of diuretics (water pills), which are prescribed to treat high blood pressure. You should seek emergency medical care from a doctor if you lose the ability to urinate, or if you can no longer control urination.

Lifestyle Choices: Another common cause of nocturia is excessive fluid consumption. Alcohol and caffeinated beverages are diuretics, which means that drinking them causes your body to produce more urine. Consuming either alcohol or caffeinated beverages in excess can lead to waking up and needing to urinate at night.

Other people who have nocturia have simply developed a habit of waking up during the night to urinate.

Risk factors

What increases my risk for nocturia?

There are many risk factors for nocturia, such as:

Age: Older people tend to get Nocturia.

Circulation: Congestive Heart Failure – Edema fluid that collects in tissues during the day due to heart failure can result in increased night time urination.

Environment / Toxicity: Mercury Toxicity (Amalgam Illness);

Hormones: Hyperparathyroidism;

Organ Health: Enlarged Prostate, Diabetes Type II;

Respiratory: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA);

Tumors, Benign: Fibroids – Fibroids can lead to increased urinary frequency and urgency.

Tumors, Malignant: Prostate Cancer.

Diagnosis & treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for any medical advice. ALWAYS consult with your doctor for more information.

How is nocturia diagnosed?

Diagnosing the cause of nocturia can be difficult. Your doctor will need to ask a variety of questions. It can be useful to maintain a diary for a few days, recording what you drink and how much, along with how often you go to the toilet.

Questions your doctor may ask you include:

When did nocturia start?

How many times a night do you have to urinate?

Are you producing less urine than you did before?

Do you have accidents or have you wet the bed?

Does anything make the problem worse?

Do you have any other symptoms?

What medications are you taking?

Do you have a family history of bladder problems or diabetes?

You may also undergo testing such as:

Blood sugar test (to check for diabetes);

Blood urea test;

Urine culture;

Fluid deprivation test;

Imaging tests, such as ultrasounds;

How is nocturia treated?

If your nocturia is caused by a medication, taking the medication earlier in the day may help.

Treatment for nocturia can sometimes include medication, such as anticholinergic drugs, which help lessen the symptoms of an overactive bladder, or desmopressin, which causes your kidneys to produce less urine.

Nocturia can be a symptom of a more serious condition, such as diabetes or a UTI that could worsen or spread if left untreated. Nocturia due to an underlying condition will usually stop when the condition is successfully treated.

Lifestyle changes & Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can help me manage nocturia?

The following lifestyles and home remedies might help you cope with nocturia:

Reducing the amount you drink before going to bed can help prevent you from having to urinate at night. Avoiding drinks that contain alcohol and caffeine may also help, as can urinating before you go to bed. Some food items act as diuretics as well, like chocolate, spicy foods, and artificial sweeteners. Kegel exercises can help strengthen your pelvic muscles and improve bladder control.

Pay close attention to what exacerbates your symptoms so you can try to modify your habits accordingly. Some people find it helpful to keep a diary of what they drink and when.

If you have any questions, please consult with your doctor to better understand the best solution for you.